Sid Bacon

It is not as though I haven’t had really short hair before … as seen in one of my much earlier photos … but I’m just not sure I’ll be able to pull off that youthful look.   We’ll see … soon enough. 

Today is my day off from chemo (3 Thursdays on, 1 off = one cycle), although we are doing a blood draw at Piper to make sure my blood counts are good.  I believe they will be.  It will be nice to have the week off and to progress through the week without any side effects from the chemo.
 

We are going to make a fun outing of the trip to Piper.  We will pick Mary and Kevin up at the airport and then meet Cathy's cousin, Cathy (from Scottsdale) at a nearby Starbucks to visit, laugh, etc. The blood draw will not take long, so we'll be sure not to let any of the medical stuff get in our way of a fun day!
 

We also get to meet with our dietician today, just before the blood draw. She was so helpful last week; we look forward to our follow-up with her today.
 

This is going to be a great day for me … I hope it is for you, too!

I have had some incredibly wonderful days, for which I am very, very grateful.  I am certain that yesterday was the best day I’ve had in a VERY long time, and today is trying its best to rival yesterday.
 

Cathy and I picked up Mary and Kevin at the airport and went to the Starbuck’s near Piper for a visit with Cathy’s cousin Cathy and her husband, Mark. I had my second breakfast there (bagel with cream cheese and chocolate milk).  We had a fun visit with them, which culminated in Cathy giving us some home-made soup, salad, bread, and very high-calorie peanut-butter rice crispy bars covered in chocolate.  Yummy!
 

The blood work went well at Piper, as did the weigh-in (in this corner, weighing just over two pounds more than he did last week, featherweight champion …). Oh what a feeling that was.  How often does extra weight give such an extra bounce to your step?
 

After we got home, we indulged in the soup, salad, bread, and treats.  And then we needed to go on a brisk walk (nice of these runners to walk with me).  For dinner, a friend of ours in San Luis Obispo (William Henry) treated us to dinner.  We went to one of our favorite local pizza places (Nello’s).  We ordered take-out to eat at home, but we enjoyed an appetizer and drinks while we waited.  We enjoyed the pizza in front of a movie that we streamed.  We were all too tired to make it through the entire movie, so we’ve saved the second half for tonight.
 

Today has not been much different in terms of eating or exercise.  I’ve been feeling great!  The highlight was having Liz and her mom, Cathy (could we find at least one more “Cathy”?!) stop by so we could sample in cupcake form the different options for the wedding cake.  Liz is in town this weekend (Dan is still in San Diego).  The cupcakes were great, but I really just loved seeing Liz.  I am so happy that we officially are adding her to our family.  We just couldn’t love her more.
 

I’m not sure what we’ll have for dinner tonight … perhaps some Mexican take-out … but I’m sure I’m going to enjoy it and enjoy Mary and Kevin’s great company.  It is amazing to feel so good.  The fight in which we are collectively engaged is having a hard time beating us!  Please help me keep it up!!

It has been another good day, although unfortunately we had to take Mary and Kevin to the airport this morning (definitely the worst part of the day).  It was great to have them here, and we already look forward to Mary returning in about ten days during her spring break. It is especially fun for me to have visitors when I am feeling good. They might even question the whole “C” thing, if it weren’t for the vast array of meds laid out on a counter in our laundry room, along with the spread sheet Dan created to help us keep track of that array and when I’m supposed to have what.  (And I suppose the new push for calories – in almost any form – might tip them off, too.)  Next time Mary is here, she’ll go with us to Piper for chemo … she’ll get to see first-hand how wonderful everyone there is. 
 

In the last couple days I’ve switched off from a sample 7-day patch for nausea to a pill form taken a few times per day.  I was taking the pill (no, notthat pill) previously, but the insurance company would only allow me 9 tablets per 30 days.  I’m not a mathematician, but I’m pretty sure 9 tablets aren’t enough when you are supposed to take 2-3 per day … (but, hey, what is a factor of 10 among “friends”?) Now the insurance company is providing the necessary number of pills, though I think I have to get used to the pill form again … I feel a little weaker today than I have in the past, but not so weak that I can’t get out and work in the yard and simply enjoy the absolutely gorgeous weather.  I’m eating well and resting as needed.  I really am listening closely to my body and I feel that the signals I receive help me adjust my eating and resting schedules and keep me on the right track. Although I’m anxious to move forward quickly, I know I can’t rush it, lest I run the risk of a setback. 
 

I received in the mail yesterday the poster that my colleagues made at the ARO conference (journal entry on the 29th of February re world-renowned auditory scientists).  What a surprise and treat (thanks Jungmee!).  I am in the process of pressing it flat so I can frame it and display it properly.  It really means a lot to me, and I will treasure it always.
 

So many people are doing so many things for me.  It truly is overwhelming and very much appreciated.  Cathy and I feel blessed by all the support. Thank you for your efforts in our fight!  We will win!

I do not have much news to report today.  It is another beautiful day in Phoenix, with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s.  The baby humming birds are doing well.  It is fun to watch the mother swoop in, first hovering about making sure that I’m not hiding behind one of the bushes to jump out and capture her, and then finally settling on the nest to feed her babies.  I’m not sure if they are getting enough protein, but I can’t get close enough to give them any of my protein additives.  I haven’t seen the babies venture from the nest yet, nor do I know if they’ll take test runs or just abandon the nest one day never to return. I hope it is the former.  I’m not ready to be an empty-nester … again.
 

I had a great walk this morning.  About half of it was with Cathy, and then she split off and finished with a run.  The walking pace was perhaps the fastest it has been yet … I think we definitely were close to breaking the 15-min per mile pace … pretty fast for a walk.  After doing a few weights, I have since had several meals/snacks and a nice 60-min rest.  I feel stronger today than yesterday … may have to tend to my back yard later this afternoon.  No excuses.
 

Although I’m losing my hair, I still have enough that I’m not yet tempted to shave the remaining off. That will come soon enough.  It just looks like I got a close hair cut, and one that is getting closer every day.  I give myself another week or so.  In the meantime, I’ll make sure all may hats are clean and ready to wear!
 

Weekends are great.  It is so nice to have Cathy around all day.  Since we’ve been married, I’ve always preferred being around her than not.  Now is no exception.  It is just nice to hang out with your best friend.  She is very good about being around during the week, too, although we both have obligations that get in the way of just “hanging out”.  But that is good, too, as it helps keep things normal … which we need.
 

Thanks again for all your love and support!  We are in this together.

I remain in my cycle of following a very strong day with a somewhat restless night’s sleep.  The medication probably helped … I didn’t lose that much sleep, but enough that I needed two long naps today.  Unfortunately, it meant cutting short a visit with a friend/colleague, who was in the country on business and who had gone out of her way to stop in Phoenix to visit me.  I am really sorry about that, Jane!  It just underscores how I cannot easily predict from one day to the next exactly how I am going to feel.   If there is any consolation … I should sleep well tonight.
 

I started the day with another brisk walk with Cathy.  She went about half-way with me and then ran the rest of her route.  I extended my route and went a bit farther than I have in the past.  It felt good.  After we reconvened at home, I had my second breakfast ...  (This little piggy …)  Laura had spent the night with us last night, so I got to visit with her last night and a little bit this morning before she went back to her house … it is always fun to have her around. 
 

After my first nap and quick shower (without washing my hair ... hair conservation strategy), I had a little to eat and got ready for my visit with Jane.  After our nice but short visit, I took a long nap, waking up just in time to talk with Dan.  He often calls (hands-free) as he is leaving his work at the preschool and driving to one of his graduate classes at San Diego State University.  It is always good to talk with him.  He may come back to visit this weekend … definitely he and Liz will be here the following weekend, so either way I get to see him soon! 
 

I’ve been snacking away since waking up.  Cathy did not have to teach her graduate class tonight, so she is now home and ready to play with me (hooray!).  I’m anxious to hear about her afternoon at work, so will cut this short.  I predict that I will have a nice evening, a good night’s sleep, and a strong day tomorrow.  Stay tuned …